Breast Screening Types & Overview
Breast Screening Overview
There are several breast screening options available at Hoag, including
advanced technologies, so regardless of the type of breast screening your
physician recommends, Hoag can help. Hoag offers the following breast
screening types:
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Annual
Mammograms play an important role in your proactive breast care. A mammogram is a
non-invasive screening that uses x-rays to produce highly detailed 2-dimensional
images of the breast. Screening mammograms are available at all Hoag imaging
locations and breast centers.
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Breast Tomosynthesis, or
3D Mammography, is the latest technology in mammography and represents a significant
advance in breast imaging. The 3-dimensional technology helps to improve
the accuracy of mammography, especially in women with dense breasts. Breast
Tomosynthesis (3D Mammography) is available at all Hoag imaging locations
throughout Orange County.
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Breast Ultrasound is a non-invasive breast imaging tool that uses high frequency sound waves
to create images of the breast. Ultrasound can improve sensitivity for
detecting breast cancer when utilized in conjunction with screening mammography.
It may be especially beneficial to women with dense breasts, women with
breast implants and pregnant women who should not be exposed to X-Ray
technology. Breast ultrasound is available at Hoag Breast Center Newport
Beach and Hoag Imaging and Breast Center Irvine.
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Breast MRI is a non-invasive imaging technology that produces highly detailed images
of the breasts by looking at the magnetic properties of tissue. Breast
MRI is recommended for screening only in women who are considered very
high-risk for developing breast cancer. There is no radiation associated
with an MRI. Breast MRI is available at Hoag Breast Center Newport Beach.
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A
Breast Biopsy is performed to further analyze an abnormality that was identified during
a breast screening. A breast biopsy is an outpatient procedure performed
with a needle. It is very rare that a biopsy has to be done surgically
in the operating room. Breast biopsies are performed at our diagnostic
breast centers including Hoag Breast Center Newport Beach and Hoag Imaging
and Breast Center Irvine.
If you have any questions or want to schedule your screening mammogram,
call 949-764-5573, or
schedule an appointment on Hoag's Patient Portal.
Understanding Mammograms: Screening vs. Diagnostic
Screening mammography looks for signs of cancer
A screening mammogram is appropriate for a woman without signs or symptoms
of breast disease, for the purpose of early detection of breast cancer,
and includes a physician’s interpretation of the results of the
procedure. A screening mammography usually includes 2 x-ray pictures (views)
of each breast. Some women, such as those with large breasts, may need
to have more pictures to see as much breast tissue as possible.
Diagnostic mammography investigates possible problems
A diagnostic mammogram is appropriate for a man or woman with signs and
symptoms of breast disease, or a personal history of breast cancer, or
a personal history of biopsy - proven benign breast disease, and includes
a physician's interpretation of the results of the procedure.
What happens after your screening?
If you have breast screening services at Hoag, your images will be read
by one of Hoag’s specialty trained, dedicated breast radiologists
and results are provided to you and your physician in a timely manner.
While you go through the breast screening process, Hoag’s breast
care team is with you every step of the way as your breast care advocate.
At Hoag, you will receive personalized care.